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Posted By: fast_lane Which amp would you go with? - 05/10/04 04:20 AM
I finally broke down and ordered. After much thought and your guys help I decided on M60's, 2 QS8's and 1 QS4 to complement the VP150 that I picked up to try out a couple months ago. I am currently using a Sony 2ES receiver and I am going to turn it into a pre pro and buy a separate amp. I had a deal locked up on a Rotel RB1070 and RMB1075 but the seller backed out when I went to send him the money, so I am in search again. I am wondering what amps you recommend to compliment axioms sound. This system is going to be used primarily for HT. Would you recommend a 3 channel amp for the front and a 2 channel for the back, or would a 5 channel work just as well (I am going to run the rear surround off the receiver)? The main contenders are the Marantz MM9000 and the Rotel RMB1075. My price point is 1k or less. I am willing to go new or used. OK, lets hear it.
Posted By: spiffnme Re: Which amp would you go with? - 05/10/04 05:34 AM
I have the Rotel RSP-1066 paired with the RMB-1075 and LOVE it.

If you haven't already check Ebay and Audiogon for the Rotel amps...they show up fairly often. (That's how I got mine.)


Posted By: tomtuttle Re: Which amp would you go with? - 05/10/04 03:44 PM
Board regular mhorgel really likes his Marantz amp; they often have really good deals on them at Accessories4less. They have the MM9000 for $749 right now.
Posted By: mhorgel Re: Which amp would you go with? - 05/10/04 09:26 PM
Yup, I sure do. Free shipping with that, too. Original MSRP was over $2k. Don't know why they didn't sell...nobody has anything bad to say about them. 170w X 5 at 8 ohms. I use my receiver to power my side surrounds, and the MM9000 to power my fronts, center, and rear surrounds. I have it set up this way because I listen to a lot of multichannel audio, and use my rear surrounds for that.

Mark
Posted By: fast_lane Re: Which amp would you go with? - 05/11/04 02:01 AM
I have never heard anything bad about the Marantz either. The 749 shipped was the reason I was considering it. If it was 1299 I would definitely go with the Rotel. What connectors would you recommend using with it. I was thinking of picking up a set of bluejeans cable 5.1 audio connectors.
Posted By: spiffnme Re: Which amp would you go with? - 05/11/04 03:14 AM
Blue Jeans is great. You can't go wrong with them.


Posted By: ravi_singh Re: Which amp would you go with? - 05/11/04 02:35 PM
Take a look on ecosts.com and crutchfield.com for refurbished Denon and Harman Kardon amplifiers, they have very good prices
Posted By: fast_lane Re: Which amp would you go with? - 05/11/04 04:22 PM
If I were going to stay with the receiver route I would either pick up the HK7200 (great value for the money) or the new Denon 3805 which boasts IIX for a better 7.1 surround experience. I just don't feel a receiver can compete with a seperate amp when it comes to driving 5 speakers in a HT experience. Down the road a little ways I'd like to pick up a used Lexicon DC1 or something of the like to replace the Sony.
Posted By: fast_lane Re: Which amp would you go with? - 05/11/04 07:46 PM
That's what I get for opening my big mouth. I call accessories for less and get ready to order a marantz and they tell me it's going to be about 5 days to ship. I ask them if I can pay the difference between normal ground and 3 day select. She says sure and tells me it will be 80.00 extra. OUCH! I thank her and call my local Vann's to see if they happen to carry or can get Marantz. I talk to one of the managers who I've known for a long time and he says why don't you just go with a receiver. I tell him I would benefit more from a separate amp and unless I could find a good receiver for around 750 (the same price as the Marantz) I was going to go that route. He tells me he'll sell me the new Denon 3805 for 780 OTD. For that price I can't pass it up. I just got off the phone making an emergency call to Axiom to see if they could add one more Qs4 to the order. 7.1 here I come.
Posted By: BrenR Re: Which amp would you go with? - 05/11/04 08:01 PM
In reply to:

I just don't feel a receiver can compete with a seperate amp when it comes to driving 5 speakers in a HT experience.



Umm.. did you have reasoning behind this?

Bren R.
Posted By: fast_lane Re: Which amp would you go with? - 05/11/04 08:37 PM
No. I just couldn't pass up the price to step up to 7.1 with IIx. If it was a grand I would have passed. I'll still end up picking up a separate amp down the road. I figure I'll be further ahead for now as I can sell my sony receiver and only end up about 450 out of pocket.
Posted By: JohnK Re: Which amp would you go with? - 05/11/04 10:38 PM
Travis, that's a terrific price for the 3805(don't forget about $60 more for the Denon microphone)and in my view you are better off than with your separate amp idea.
Posted By: Ray3 Re: Which amp would you go with? - 05/12/04 12:20 AM
Great price on the 3805!!! Are you related to the salesman? .

I considered separates, but finally opted for the Denon 3803. Excellent feature set for the price (less expensive than mst quality pre.pros and generally more features/flexibility). The 3803 can act as a pre/pro and I can add a big honkin' amp later if I feel the urge to sepnd mpore money . All in all, a nice compromise. You will be happy with the 3805.
Posted By: mhorgel Re: Which amp would you go with? - 05/12/04 01:44 AM
The bluejeans cables are exactly what I got. Get them a little longer than you think you need, however, as you may want the amp (it's really heavy) to go on the bottom shelf, and the receiver or pre/pro on an upper shelf.

Mark
Posted By: sidvicious02 Re: Which amp would you go with? - 05/12/04 02:03 AM
I'd agree with Ray and John, that's a steal for a 3805. IMO that's the best way to go as it will give you a tonne of power and you can always add an external amp in the future if you wish. It has one of the best feature sets of any receiver out there (esp. with video up-conversion, we need a drool icon) and I feel it's head-and-shoulders above any $2000+ pre/pro available. I'd buy this receiver in a second if I had the cashola.
Posted By: fast_lane Re: Which amp would you go with? - 05/12/04 05:37 AM
Thanks guys, that makes buyers remorse a little easier. LOL
It doesn't hurt that I am the finance manager at a Chevy store and I've sold him a few cars and was able to call in a couple favors to help him with financing. I am like a kid waiting for Christmas right now. I don't think I will be able to sleep for a couple days.
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